The Xuli Dynasty has always valued etiquette. When King Hechiliu got off the sedan chair, Emperor Shu led his ministers to greet him in person, and surrounded King Hechiliu into the banquet.
Emperor Shu was young, so in order to express his respect for the elderly king Hechiliu, he sat with him at the head table. Not only that, he also frequently poured wine and food himself. Xiang Ju'an watched Emperor Shu during the banquet.
This flattering move made his face sullen and his heart burning.
King Hechiliu didn't just come here for a meal. After only a few drinks, he said: "I have heard about the situation in the east. Although the current situation seems to be stable on the surface, it cannot be ignored."
He patted Emperor Shu's hand affectionately, as if an elder was reminding a younger one, and said: "In the past, when your father was alive, we were close friends. Although we are in different countries, we know very well that the lips are dead and the teeth are cold."
Emperor Shu nodded repeatedly and said: "I understand what you said. The reason why Xuli Country is as stable as it is today is all because of your support and help."
King Hechiliu did not ask his attendants to add food, but picked up his chopsticks and plucked at the plate in front of him twice.
It was a dish of stir-fried rabbit meat.
"Everyone says this rabbit is smart, but if you really think about it, it only weighs a few kilograms. If you keep it at home and have someone to rely on, it will be safe and sound. If you don't know the importance of it and run wild outside alone, sooner or later
It was eaten." King Hechiliu picked up a piece of rabbit meat and put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully and said, "Hmm~ The meat of this little rabbit is really tender."
Xiang Ju'an only heard the sound behind the words and clenched his fists tightly.
Seeing that Emperor Shu was still greeting Lord Hechiliu carelessly, Xiang Ju'an picked up the wine glass in front of him, raised his head and drank it all.
Since Emperor Shu came to the throne, King Hechiliu has rarely come to Xuli Kingdom in person. He has said so many things in and out of words that Emperor Shu has no clear meaning, so he reminded again: "Hechiliu's ability
We are limited and can only contribute to the forging of weapons. Your Majesty, rest assured that once the situation in the east changes, I, Herculia, will not sit idly by and do nothing."
Emperor Shu took a sip of wine, with a heavy expression on his face. He was sitting on pins and needles and said anxiously: "I know what you mean, your Majesty. The relationship between our two countries must be maintained forever. But the northern smoke
The wall in the Jiang Corridor was built by the people below on their own initiative. Please don’t misunderstand that it was my intention. I had absolutely no intention of doing so. I had absolutely no intention of doing so.”
In order to express his loyalty, Emperor Shu did not forget to add another sentence, saying: "No matter what, Xuli can never leave the support of Hechiliu. He cannot do without it! If you are really dissatisfied with that wall, I will ask them to tear it down."
Yes, what do you think?"
With his words, he left himself completely alone, and the pressure naturally fell on Xiang Ju'an.
Who doesn’t know that Xiang Juan single-handedly rules the border area?
Xiang Ju'an was caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, he was worried about the pressure from Hechiliu's favor, but on the other hand, he actually didn't think there was anything wrong with increasing border defense in the north.
It's just that I haven't thought about it carefully yet. In this situation, Xiang Ju'an is ready to adapt to the situation and deal with it first.
Lord Hechiliu waved his hand and said indifferently: "That wall is not a big deal."
He moved his gaze to the audience, locking his eyes on Xiang Ju'an, who was sitting as the chief minister, and said: "Speaking of it, General Xiang is really both wise and brave. The northern Guyi has been rampant for so many years, but he was finally put under control by the general.
Wow, I really admire you."
King Hechiliu raised his glass to honor him. Xiang Ju'an picked up the wine glass and said respectfully: "You are so grateful. This is the collective strength of the border army, not the glory of any one person. Naturally, Hechiliu's material is also inseparable.
for help.”
"The general is a low-key man, but judging from Yi Gu, with the strength of the general, the small Eastern Really Foolish Country will sooner or later be in the pocket of your Xuli Kingdom." The laughter of Lord Hechiliu echoed throughout the whole place.
In the banquet hall, the civil servants took over the conversation one after another, and expressed their gratitude to Hechiliu for their generous assistance.
The same words came back and forth.
Xiang Ju'an looked around at the people around him. Those flattering faces made him extremely uncomfortable, and he couldn't help showing an expression of disgust.
In this luxurious palace, all the civil and military officials are no longer dignified men, but more like servile people wearing gorgeous coats.
The dignified Xuli Dynasty has been choked by others on military equipment and has been forced to rely on others for many years. How long will this humiliation last...
Lord Hechiliu spoke very beautifully. He half-truthfully and half-jokingly said: "The expansion of Xuli's territory is all due to the strength of the general. In fact, there is no need to say words of gratitude, but if you really want to be grateful-" His eyes
Staring straight at Xiang Juan's expression, he said with a smile on his face: "It's always nice to look at the Yanjiang Corridor."
Just a moment ago, the banquet hall was full of chatter and laughter, but now it stopped abruptly because of these words.
Those civil and military ministers could no longer wear the mask of flattery. Even Prime Minister Han Qi's smile froze after hearing this. Not to mention Emperor Shu, he didn't say anything after hearing the words and hurriedly lowered his head.
Wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
And Xiang Ju'an's heart seemed to have been hit with a heavy hammer.
The ultimate meaning of this banquet is no longer the wall that branches the border in the northern Yanjiang area. The real intention of King Hercule Liu here is the entire Yanjiang Corridor!
What a lion with a big mouth!
Xiang Ju calmed down his mind, suppressed the shock in his heart, twitched his lips and said with a smile: "The old monarch's jokes are getting more and more interesting."
King Hechiliu had a profound smile on his face and said nothing more.
It's enough to hit the point with some words.
When the banquet was over, everyone had left, and Xiang Ju'an was alone, he gradually became uneasy.
Xiang Ju'an joined the army when he was young, and he has been on the battlefield for many years. On the battlefield, there are only two words: bravery and strategy. He has already mastered all kinds of tactics, but he is formidable. He Lanlan's few words gave him a chill down his spine.
He began to have to doubt some things that should not be questioned. Those children who came out of the concentration camp were young and high-spirited, and there was no harm in saying bold things.
But he, Xiang Ju'an, is General Xuli who commands the three armies! It is a major matter for the two countries, and he must not just say it out of thin air.
The Kingdom of Hechiliu has always had good relations with the Xuli Dynasty. The two countries are only separated by a mountain. In order to express their attention, Hechiliu used to send envoys to bring various treasures every year, and the King of Hechiliu visited frequently.
Li.
Xiang Ju'an looked at the Bengshuang Knife at his waist. That sword was forged by Hechiliu, and the handle was engraved with the pattern of the Hechiliu royal family.
It was brought by King Hechiliu to the late emperor in person in the past. It was only after Xiang Ju'an made great achievements that the late emperor rewarded him with this sword.
After many years of friendly friendship, Hechiliu Kingdom will never...
After talking to Guan Jiyu yesterday, it was not that he didn't understand what He Lanlan meant, but he needed a legitimate reason to convince himself.
But He Lanlan couldn't give a reason and relied entirely on subjective judgment. This young man didn't have the ability to predict the future.
What He Lanlan said lightly was "What if?"
Xiang Ju'an didn't dare to think about it anymore, but he had to think about it. Today's world situation has changed. The Xuli Kingdom has been fighting continuously in these years, and the treasury really can't get much money. In addition, there are some sycophants in the court who are obstructing it. Emperor Shu
Weak and ownerless, the entire Xuli Kingdom was no longer what it was when the late emperor was still alive.
Xiang Ju'an is at the border, how can he influence the affairs of the DPRK?
Just because he doesn't dare to think about it doesn't mean that everyone else won't think about it.
The two countries were friendly countries in the past and even now, and no one can predict what will happen in the future. He Lanlan has a very discerning eye, and the fact that he dares to raise this opinion means that he has something in his mind. At this time of tension in the east, King Herchelliu is
I wonder how many people can really take this so-called "joke" to heart?
The wind was so strong at night that it gave Xiang Ju'an a headache.
He began to feel that he was no longer young. For the first time, he felt confused.
Fortunately, he has the three young men he is most proud of.
Xiang Ju'an turned to the light and pulled out the red paper with the selection list for the concentration camp written on it.
Among the three, Guan Jiyu is the most stable and has the highest strength, which reassures him the most. Although He Lanlan is casual and informal, he has general knowledge and strategies after all, and he is the most thoughtful and calm one.
And Jiang Yingnian is the real lion of Nanqin. In terms of force and resourcefulness, he is not as good as Jiyu Helan, but he has a unique ruthlessness in him.
And this energy is what Xiang Ju'an admires the most, and what is most like him.
He was sure that Jiang Yingnian would become a world-famous general in the future.
They are all good children. Xiang Ju'an covered the red paper to his chest and felt at ease.
Even if the sky falls, Xiang Ju'an has nothing to fear. Now that he has the best subordinates, he has enough confidence.
Xiang Ju'an didn't drink much wine during the banquet, but King Hechiliu's words made him feel upset. After the banquet was over, he didn't stick to etiquette. He picked up a pot of wine and walked out of the imperial city gate. He felt relieved.
In one breath, he drank several gulps as if to vent his anger.
When he arrived at the courtyard where he lived, Guan Jiyu was still waiting for him.
Seeing him walking in smelling of alcohol, Guan Jiyu quickly stepped forward to support him and said worriedly: "General..."
Xiang Ju'an shook his head and said, "No problem."
"Why did you drink so much? You should take mine with you today, you are alone..." Guan Jiyu helped him sit down, turned around and poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to him: "Drink it to wake up."
Xiang Ju'an didn't refuse. He took the hand and swallowed a whole cup of hot tea regardless of his posture. He didn't care whether it burned his mouth or not.
After drinking, he leaned heavily on the back of the chair, his dark cheeks flushed, and his usually bright eyes were full of exhaustion at this moment. He could only murmur weakly: "It's okay that you didn't go to the banquet today.
…”
"A bunch of rats..." Xiang Ju'an squinted, half-covering the moisture in his eyes, and said in frustration: "To eat Xuli's food, we use the money distributed by the court, but we don't earn any face for Xuli, what's the use?
?Nothing manly, just a rat..."
Guan Jiyu didn't know what happened to him today that made him so angry, and he didn't dare to ask more, so he could only add more tea silently.
She thought he was about to fall asleep after drinking too much, but Xiang Juan suddenly opened his eyes wide. He seemed to have thought for a long time before he said to her as if to explain: "In the future, even if we lose their assistance, we will be unable to do anything."
Resist foreign enemies... even if you lose your life." He looked at Guan Jiyu and said word by word: "As long as I am in Xiang Ju'an's army, I must not lose my integrity!"